All directors are selected by invitation.
Their service, work, energy, and commitment to the Foundation are gratis.

Meet Our Directors

President: T. Bradley Tucker

T. Bradley “Brad” Tucker is a fifth generation farmer and lifelong resident of Edgar County. Born to lifelong Edgar County residents Bill and Mary Ann Morris Tucker, Brad lives on the home farm begun in 1848 in Edgar Township, near Horace. He is married to the former Lisa Tinley of Danville, and they are the parents of Samantha and Robby. Brad is a graduate of Paris High School and the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Ag Economics. He has worked in commodity brokerage as well as farming. Other past activities include participation in the Kiwanis Early Risers, Farm Bureau, Edgar County Soil and Water Conservation Board, Edgar Township Trustee, Edgar County Fair, Edgar County Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the First Baptist Church of Paris, Edgar County Young Republicans, Hunter Safety Instruction, and East Central Illinois Illini Club.

Vice President: Doug Hasler

Doug Hasler was raised in Paris. He attended Paris High School and Eastern Illinois University majoring in Economics. After a short time away from Paris, Doug returned in 1987. Mr. Hasler currently serves as President of the Joe & Nila White Halser Foundation and various other committees and organizations. He is also a member of First Christian Church of Paris. Doug also was a member of the international performing group, Up With People, served in Washington DC for both Senator Percy and Congressman Dan Crane, as well as with our local State Representatives.

Secretary: Ned Jenison

E. H. “Ned” Jenison, a native of Paris, is a graduate of Paris High School and the University of Illinois. After military service during the Korean War and two years as agricultural editor for the Champaign-Urbana Courier, he returned to the family newspaper, the Paris Beacon-News, with which he remained until retiring as publisher in 2006. He remains active in several other community organizations including the Hospital and Medical Foundation of Paris, Paris Development Corp. (PEDCO), Paris Planning Commission, Edgar County Mental Health Board, Paris Chamber of Commerce, and Looking for Lincoln.

Treasurer: Susan Saxton

Susan C. Saxton grew up in Sterling, Illinois and graduated from Sterling High School in 1982. She decided to attend Eastern Illinois University and has lived in the area ever since. Susan graduated from EIU in 1986 with a BS in Business. She currently works at LPL Financial in Marshall, Illinois as a financial advisor. She is also the Mayor for the Village of Kansas where she lives with her husband, John Saxton. They have three children; Thomas, Laura, and Katie. Susan has participated in many organizations over the years including: Kansas Eastern Star, treasurer for Kansas Past Matron’s group, past treasurer for Kansas Little League, past President of Paris Noon Kiwanis, and past treasurer and board member of Marshall Main Street Program.

Development Manager: Warren Sperry

Warren Sperry is a retired school educator and administrator for the Paris School System. Born and raised in Illinois, Warren has served the Paris community as a board member of the REC Center, American Red Cross, Paris Kiwanis Club, CAMA, Paris Area Youth Services, First Christian Church, Paris Center of Fine Arts, Bee Well-Edgar County Wellness, and The Friends of the Paris Community Hospital. Now actively serving as Project Manager for the foundation, Warren continues to support those causes that will continue to enrich the Edgar County Area.

Past President: Mary Liz Wright

Mary Liz Wright is currently employed by University of Illinois Extension where she serves the counties of Clark, Crawford, and Edgar as the Nutrition and Wellness Educator. Mary Liz earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Loyola University of Chicago and a master’s degree in Family and Consumer Science from Eastern Illinois University. Ms. Wright is a lifelong resident of Edgar County. She is a firm believer in community service and is currently involved as a director on the following boards: Edgar County Fair, Edgar County Community Foundation, Unit #4 School, Pairs Cooperative High School, and Paris Community Hospital. Mary Liz is a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Paris. She and her husband, Phil, are the parents of three daughters; Madden, Agnes, and Nora.

E. Robert Anderson

Rob, a native of Paris, is a graduate of Paris High School, Eastern Illinois University and the University of Illinois College of Law.He has been an attorney in Paris since 1985, when he joined the firm where his father had practiced law. In 2006 he established his own law firm, Anderson Law Offices, located at 1204 N. Main St. in Paris. Rob’s practice focuses on Estate Planning, Estates and Probate, Real Estate and Agriculture Law. He has been a member of the Edgar County Community Foundation since 1995.He is also a director of the Paris Community Hospital Foundation, Inc.Rob and his wife, Suzy, have three children, R.J, Gennifer and Christopher.

Don Bartos

Don Bartos is a life long resident of Paris, IL. He is a 1992 graduate of Paris High School and received a B.S. in Management from Eastern Illinois University. He purchased Dimond Bros. Insurance in 2000. In 2012, Dimond Bros. was listed at one of the top 100 largest independent insurance agencies in the country. Along with his wife, Jessica, they purchased Eagle Ridge Golf Course (formerly Sycamore Hills) in 2011. Bartos is a member of YPO and currently serves as a board member of Paris YMCA. He is active throughout the community over the years and involved in coaching several youth basketball, soccer and baseball teams.

Christian Colvin

Christian graduated summa cum laude from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1997. He earned a MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois in 1999. Christian later worked as a consulting engineer with a focus on drinking water treatment technology for CH2M HILL in Denver, CO. At CH2M HILL, Christian developed a parametric cost model to estimate the cost of new treatment facilities, which was a first in the industry.

In 2005, he transitioned to financial advisor with Edward Jones and obtained a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2007 and Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA) in 2016. Also in 2016, Christian completed executive education coursework at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School as part of the CIMA requirement.

Matt Ehlers

Matt Ehlers was born in Rock Island, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in Accountancy. After graduation, Matt moved to Chicago where he spent 8 years with a Management Consulting firm focusing his efforts in the Private Equity and Manufacturing sectors. In 2005, Matt and his wife Tiffany, a Kansas, Illinois native, moved to Champaign, Illinois where he continued his consulting work.

Matt and Tiffany moved to Edgar County in 2009, where they now reside with their four children, Jackson, Katey, Lainey and Maria. Matt helps operate the family farm and is a Pioneer seed dealership with his father-in-law. He also has a crop insurance business serving mainly Edgar and Coles Counties. Matt also serves the community through his involvement in youth sports in Kansas, as Secretary of the Edgar County Farm Bureau, and as the Vice President of the Kansas Board of Education.

Jason A. Graham

Dr. Jason Graham was born and raised in Paris, Illinois. Upon graduating from Paris High School in 1990, he attended Eastern Illinois University. He graduated from Southern Illinois University-School of Dental Medicine in 1997 and entered private practice. He moved back to Paris in 2000. He has three children, Jacob, Ethan and Lily, and is married to the former Beth Richards from Newton, Illinois. Jason and his family are members of and attend First Baptist Church of Paris. He is a current member of the Paris Rotary Club and sits on the boards for the Edgar County Public Health Department and the Edgar County Community Foundation. He is a past board member for the Paris YMCA and the Paris area Chamber of Commerce.

Tom Herbermehl

Tom Hebermehl is a registered pharmacist raised and educated in Indiana. He married a local girl upon graduation from Butler University and bought Pearman Pharmacy, making Paris his home. The business has grown because it serves the needs of people. Now retired, his community interests have grown because of his desire to continue serving the community. Tom sits on numerous boards serving various interests and needs of people in Edgar County.

Scott Ingrum

Scott Ingrum is a life long resident of Paris, IL. He is a 1976 graduate of Paris High School. He is currently President of IWD Ingrum’s Waste Disposal. Along with his wife, Kathy, and their two children, Mary Jo and Bethany, they all work side by side in the family business which has been in the Paris area since 1950.

As a past President of the Hanger Board, past Chamber of Commerce Director, past President of Edgar County Shrine, a First Christian Church member and on the board of trustees, Scott is always willing to help or support the Edgar county area.

William C. Minnis

Bill Minnis was born in Terre Haute, IN, and resides on a fifth generation family farm in Edgar County where he raises Angus cattle. He has experience as a health care administrator, banker, professor, entrepreneur, and consultant. Bill is an Associate Professor of Management at Eastern Illinois University. He completed a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Business Administration degree at Indiana State University, as well as Ph.D. in Management at St. Louis University.

Bob Morris

Bob Morris was born in the Chrisman, Illinois area, before moving to Indiana. After graduating from Purdue University in 1979, Bob moved back to the area and started in the farming business. While living in the area, Bob served as township supervisor for 8 years, Hoult Cemetery Board for 30 years and Treasurer of The Edgar County Mental Health Board since the late 1980’s. Additionally, Bob has served on the Chrisman School Board of Education. Bob and his wife Nancy have 3 children, Reed, Matt, and Jennifer. The Morris’ are members of the Chrisman Methodist Church.

Aaron Phipps

Aaron Phipps is a 1992 graduate of Chrisman High School. In 1996 he graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Environmental Geology and in 1999 graduated from the Missouri School of Science and Technology with a BS in Mining Engineering. He has work experience with The US Gypsum Company and The Centex Materials Company in Texas, and The Vulcan Materials Company in Illinois. In 2008 Aaron returned to the Chrisman area as the seventh generation in the family farming business. Aaron and his wife Kristin have two children, John and Leah.

David Sullivan

David F. Sullivan is a 1970 graduate of Paris High School and earned a B.S. in Agriculture Economics from the University of Illinois in 1974. Dave retired in 2017 after spending 38 years in banking, primarily in Edgar County, and is currently Market President of First Bank in Paris. Sullivan is also a past president and director of PEDCO (Paris Development Corporation) and past chairman of the Revolving Loan Fund for the City of Paris. He is also a former board member of the Illinois Bankers Association. Other activities include active affiliation with St. Mary’s Church, and the Knights of Columbus Council #860.

Board Members Emeritus:

Patrick Bell: Emeritus

Pat Bell is a lifelong resident of Paris, Illinois, graduating from Paris High School and Indiana State University. He is a CPA with Larsson, Woodyard & Henson, LLP, and serves as a consultant to the Paris office.

Serving various not-for-profit entities in the Paris area, Pat was a founding board member of the Central Illiana Estate Planning Council, a founding board member of ECCF, Past President of the Indiana State University Alumni Board, and currently serves as a board member for the Bicentennial Art Center. Mr Bell is also a board member emeritus of the Indiana State University Foundation and Edgar County Community Foundation.

Chris Eldredge: Emeritus

Chris Eldredge is a native of Paris, and a graduate of Paris High School and Illinois Wesleyan University. After graduating from IWU, Eldredge worked for two years at FS Services, Inc. (now Growmark) before returning to Paris to work for Illinois Cereal Mills, Inc. He continued to work for Cargill, Inc. as Vice President of Sales after they purchased ICM in the mid 90’s. Eldredge changed career paths in 2002 when he became President of Citizens National Bank. He has been quite active throughout the community over the years, involved as a coach and director in youth sports and as a board member with the Human Resource Center. Presently he serves on numerous church boards at Grace Lutheran Church, is a director and past president of Paris Economic Development Corporate (PEDCO), a director with the Coalition Against Methamphetamines (CAMA), a director of the Werner Foundation and presently the President of the Edgar County Community Foundation.

Harry Frost: Emeritus

Harry Frost, native of Robinson, Illinois, is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Chemistry. Past community service includes involvement with all ages being active as the President of Paris Youth Baseball Board of Directors and President of the Edgar County Housing Authority Board for senior citizens.

Joe Hasler: Emeritus

Mr. Joe Hasler, retired CEO of the Illinois Cereal Mill, is one of the original founders of the foundation. Joe is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Citizens National Bank. He is deeply motivated and involved in preserving the quality of life for all the residents of Edgar County.

Robert Morgan: Emeritus

Bob Morgan has been a Paris supporter for several years. As an entrepreneur, business man, banker, and developer, Mr. Morgan continues to advocate those positive aspects of community growth. One of the original founders of the Community Foundation, Mr. Morgan, in word and deed, champions those needs of the people in our county.

Mary Ann Pearman: Emeritus, Deceased

As a life long resident of Edgar County, Mary participated and supported many worthwhile activities. A graduate of Saint Mary’s of the Woods in the field of music, Mary Ann engaged in the support and development of the humanities in the county. Threaded through her many years, her activities included 4-H church Choir Director, director of Paris Community Choir, and various women’s organizations. She served on many organizational boards such as the Paris Community Hospital, Edgar County children’s home, Community Concert Board, Homemakers Extension, Paris Junior Women’s Club, Positive Development of Edgar County, and Friends of the Family Association of CIA TV. Mary Ann also served and associated with the Lumpkin Family Foundation.

C.E. Willis: Director Emeritus, Deceased

Known for challenging others to support worthy causes, Charles E. “Charley” Willis (1915-2010) was one of the founding directors of the Edgar Country Community Foundation.

Born in Anderson, Indiana, Charley earned a degree in industrial engineering from General Motors Institute (GMI, now Kettering University) through a cooperative education scholarship program. The gift of education, a strong entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and the support of his wife, Genevieve, enabled him to build Meco, Inc.- a Paris, IL firm that was nationally recognized for its superior designs and high-quality fabrication of sheet metal products. As a part of its 75th anniversary celebration, GMI honored him as one of its “75 Outstanding Graduates”.

Charley and Gen felt blessed to have settled in Paris and raise their family (Joanna, Richard, and Bruce) in Edgar County. They never forgot that his education- obtained through a scholarship-enabled their success. They spent most of their lives trying to give back through their time, talent, and treasure. Charley would hope that his story inspires you to help make Edgar County a better place to live through volunteerism and gifts to ECCF.